To Stand or Not to Stand? That is the Question

Two days ago, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that players could continue to kneel or sit during the National Anthem without facing any penalties. The next morning, President Trump predictably took to Twitter to decry the decision: “The NFL has decided that it will not force players to stand for the playing of our National Anthem. Total disrespect for our great country!”

As I reflected on this ongoing controversy, I found myself thinking about my dad, who passed away a little over a year ago, and what he would likely say about it all.

Lt.Col. (USMC) William C. Holmberg was a bootstraps-kind-of-guy and one who loved, fought for (Navy Cross honoree; veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam ) and found a hundred-and-one ways to serve this country.

Over his 88 years he developed and nurtured an acute sense of justice and fairness. Much of that was born from empathy. As someone raised on the wrong side of the tracks and holding the short-end of the stick, Dad understood the pain, fear, hopelessness and anger that often gnaws at those whose color, economic status, upbringing, etc. can push them towards the margins.

Back before it was cool, he ruffled feathers advocating for total equality and respect for the black soldiers under his command and later throughout the entire military.

Forced to retire after a heart attack in Vietnam, Dad’s next “tour of duty” was with the Selective Service. The feather ruffling continued as he fought for the rights and honor of conscientious objectors, including perhaps the most famous and important incident of an athlete taking a principled stand against what he believed was injustice in America. (One can only imagine the Twitter-equivalents that would have gushed forth if Trump had been president when Muhammad Ali refused induction into the military.)

Connecting the dots between kids being raised in blighted inner-city neighborhoods and systemic poverty and crime, he started a program to place them in a more regulated and rural environment for two weeks in the summer. There, at a semi-retired military base, they lived in the barracks, experienced military style discipline and physical training from actual drill instructors (significantly dialed down and fun-infused, of course), went to school, played games, and engaged in basic-life-skills exercises. For most, it was their very first step onto the path to the the true American dream.

Finally, literally up to the day his old heart gave out, Dad did what he could to fight for the family farm, for the environment, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy….and the little guy.

So what would Big Bill say about this kneeling brouhaha?

Well, I heard his voice almost perfectly channeled in an interview with Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret who played football briefly with the Seattle Seahawks. Nate had spoken out last year when Colin Kaepernick got the whole NFL protest train rolling. Then they met, talked and found a very interesting and compelling place of understanding and compromise. Instead of sitting during the national anthem, Kaepernick began taking the knee.

And now, as more and more NFL players are also kneeling , Nate has spoken out again, this time in a letter to “Every Single American.”

His bottom-line?

“So please, no more lines in the sand, not at home, not among our people. No more choosing sides, no more “for or against.” I believe our Veterans will be called upon to lead the way in healing the world and solving its problems; right now our country needs that more than I can remember. So I’ll be here, standing in the radical middle, doing what I can to continue fighting for those that can’t fight for themselves. Let’s get this thing fixed together, you and me. I love you all with all my heart.”

De Oppresso Liber” (To free the oppressed)

It’s great to hear your voice again, Dad, cheering from the sidelines.

(As for my thoughts: like it or not, you introduce an element of politics into any event where The Star-Spangled Banner is played. And that anthem is there to commemorate our national creed, which has at its very heart the freedom of speech and political expression.
That speech and expression becomes most meaningful and important to the vitality of our country when it is born out of thoughtful engagement with the transcendent values of truth, justice and mercy. I know that not everybody who sits or kneels is doing it out of this type of engagement with the issues. But not everyone who stands is doing it from that place either. Personally, I think it’s great for America that there is this type of debate and reflection going on right now.

Lastly, as Americans we should applaud anyone who takes the playing of our anthem seriously rather than just going through the motions and/or following the herd. (I would that we took our other civic responsibilities—particularly voting—more seriously and thoughtfully as well.) Standing, singing along, covering one’s heart or lifting up our eyes and hands to the great hill (and, FYI, it’s not the Capitol version) from which our redemption comes is great. But so is kneeling as a sign of humility, compassion, contrition, reverence and prayer. Again, while not everyone will have hearts and minds that truly reflect their respective postures, I will choose to look at them, smile to myself and think, “Well, it’s at least a beginning.”

I would recommend that “every single American” consider doing the same.

Nate Boyer’s interesting, six-minute radio interview can be heard here.

Leave a Reply

Thanks for your excellent statement Eric. There are many positions of conscience regarding the national anthem, the flag, and ultimate loyalties, that are worthy of respect. And as you so rightly indicate, engagement and taking these issues seriously is to be preferred over taking our country for granted. Another iconic national celebration, Thanksgiving Day, is just a few short weeks away, and for many American families this may be a tense, even conflict filled occasion. Especially in this year, violations of God’s law and social fractures have grown to a depth and severity beyond our human capacity to reconcile and… Read more »

Thanks for the comment and encouragement, Jon. I will visit your website. And I looked to see if we were friends on Facebook and we’re not: an omission that needs to be remedied. There are several Jon Ebersole’s listed: perhaps the older gentleman who works with Joni and Friends? Send me a friend request and then post something on the day and I will share it.

My father was a veteran in WWII as a Navy Lieutenant. He saw many Marines give their lives for our great nation on the sands of Iwo Jima. Someone recently sent me this letter. I believe it accurately describes the problem we have in our country. Jeff An open letter to the NFL players, You graduated high school in 2011. Your teenage years were a struggle. You grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Your mother was the leader of the family and worked tirelessly to keep a roof over your head and food on your plate. Academics… Read more »

Hey Jeff, great to hear from you! Pray you are doing well. And thanks for the letter. Tells a great story—which is in some cases is broadly applicable to NFL players–and makes a strong point. The problem, IMO, is that it is not always true. I could tell another story that would move people’s hearts in another direction. And it would be true in some instances as well. The bottom-line for me is that the principle of free expression trumps feelings and situations. In addition, taking the knee and should be a great sign of respect and even reverence. In… Read more »

I am disturbed. I have advocated for over 45 years that the Star Spangled Banner should be dumped as our national anthem. I feel as though my position has been hijacked by both sides. Prior to the current brouhaha, if you looked around a pro football stadium you would not see half the crowd singing, standing, or saluting. Many players would be spitting, scratching, or talking. If we must sing, lets make God Bless America the National Anthem.

I hear you Brian. I think it was Samuel Johnson who said that patriotism was the last refuge for the scoundrel. There’s a ton of superficiality and hypocrisy swirling around out there…on both sides of the issue. Thanks for commenting.

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eric holmbergonTo Stand or Not to Stand? That is the QuestionThanks for the comment and encouragement, Jon. I will visit your website. And I looked to see if we were friends on Facebook and we're not: an omission that needs to be remedied. There are several Jon Ebersole's listed: perhaps the older gentleman who works with Joni and Friends? Send me a friend request and then post something on…

eric holmbergonTo Stand or Not to Stand? That is the QuestionHey Jeff, great to hear from you! Pray you are doing well. And thanks for the letter. Tells a great story---which is in some cases is broadly applicable to NFL players--and makes a strong point. The problem, IMO, is that it is not always true. I could tell another story that would move people's hearts in another direction. And it w…

Jon EbersoleonTo Stand or Not to Stand? That is the QuestionThanks for your excellent statement Eric. There are many positions of conscience regarding the national anthem, the flag, and ultimate loyalties, that are worthy of respect. And as you so rightly indicate, engagement and taking these issues seriously is to be preferred over taking our country for granted. Another iconic national ce…

Jeff ebelonTo Stand or Not to Stand? That is the QuestionMy father was a veteran in WWII as a Navy Lieutenant. He saw many Marines give their lives for our great nation on the sands of Iwo Jima. Someone recently sent me this letter. I believe it accurately describes the problem we have in our country. Jeff An open letter to the NFL players, You graduated high school in 2011. Your teenage…